POSITION DESCRIPTION FOR PRESIDENT May 2021 Much of this material contained herein is gained in confidence and as such should be regarded as confidential. Accordingly, it is understood that dissemination of this material should be limited to those individuals in your organization who are directly connected with this specific search or whom a reasonable person would agree have a need to know. POSITION DESCRIPTION Delaware Valley University | President Prepared by Diversified Search Group POSITION DESCRIPTION POSITION President INSTITUTION Delaware Valley University REPORTS TO Board of Trustees LOCATION Doylestown, PA WEBSITE delval.edu 1 POSITION DESCRIPTION Delaware Valley University | President Prepared by Diversified Search Group SUMMARY OF OPPORTUNITY Celebrating its 125th anniversary this year, Delaware Valley University (DelVal) is a close-knit academic community historically known for its strong emphasis on experiential learning, an innovation inspired by its founder’s focus on “science with practice.” Through the University’s Experience360 (E360) Program, undergraduate students benefit from a holistic classroom education with hands-on practice, academic internships, career exploration experiences, community service activities, and leadership development. DelVal students have excellent outcomes, with the percentage of students either employed or continuing their education within a year of graduation having increased in each of the last five years, most recently to a record-high 94.4% for the Class of 2019. DelVal’s E360 program was named the “2019 Outstanding Experiential Education Program” by the National Society for Experiential Education. Located outside of Philadelphia in picturesque and vibrant Doylestown, PA, the University maintains its founding focus in agricultural and animal sciences, together with current programs in behavioral sciences, business, health, and the humanities. With a commitment to expanded educational opportunities, DelVal offers residential, online, and hybrid academic undergraduate and graduate degree programs (many with professional accreditation) and certificates. Through its partnership with Doylestown Health, DelVal is expanding healthcare programs with a strong clinical focus. In addition, DelVal is developing plans for programs in agricultural science specialties, business, and healthcare. DelVal’s talented faculty and dedicated staff care deeply about teaching and supporting students. Today, DelVal enrolls nearly 2,200 students, including more than 450 graduate students, who benefit from small class sizes with a 13:1 student-to-faculty ratio. DelVal has consistently been recognized for its academic programs and student support. The Princeton Review named DelVal to the 2021 “Best in the Northeast” list, an honor it has earned every year for the past ten years. U.S. News & World Report highlighted DelVal as a “Top Performer for Social Mobility.” DelVal received a “Military Friendly School” designation in 2019-2020. DelVal’s Animal Science degree program was ranked as one of the top 20 in the U.S. by College Factual in 2019, and its agricultural degree programs, online MBA, and Counseling Psychology program have also received recognition. (Please see Appendix A and delval.edu for more information on the institution.) DelVal seeks a leader who will work collaboratively, advocate for students, communicate consistently with clarity and transparency, strengthen its financial position, and raise resources and visibility. The next President will need to motivate, inspire confidence and trust, and rapidly execute an efficacious, innovative development plan. Accomplished leaders from higher education and other industries with transferrable skills and an appreciation for the academic enterprise are encouraged to apply. 2 POSITION DESCRIPTION Delaware Valley University | President Prepared by Diversified Search Group ROLE OVERVIEW The President is Delaware Valley University’s chief executive officer, ambassador, advocate, and fundraiser. The President cultivates and nurtures an environment that attracts and supports high-quality, high-performing, and successful students, faculty, and staff. While providing clear, strong leadership to the senior administration, the President makes prudent financial and managerial decisions that ensure the integration DelVal’s Fast Facts of academic and fiscal strengths. The President also leads, and actively participates in, the Founded: 1896 securing of individual, government, foundation, Campuses: 3 campus locations on over and corporate financial support. Reporting to the 1,000 acres University’s Board of Trustees, the President Academic Programs: 28 undergraduate provides vision and entrepreneurial, majors, nine master’s programs, one transformational strategic leadership, and doctoral program, and certificate and implements university policies. adult programs Students: 1,710 (including 1,461 full- The President promotes DelVal and the values of time) undergraduate students and 487 a practice-based education to audiences (including 162 full-time) graduate throughout the Greater Philadelphia region and students in Spring 2021 the United States. Such constituencies include Student to Faculty Ratio: 13:1; average alumni; donors; business, healthcare, and civic undergraduate class size of 15 leaders; elected and appointed officials; state, Full-Time Faculty: 98 federal, and international agencies; professional Full- and Part-Time Staff: 225 and higher education associations; and the Living Alumni: More than 17,000 general public. Student Clubs: More than 70 The President oversees eight direct reports, Athletics: NCAA Division III; 24 including Vice President for Academic Affairs and intercollegiate teams Dean of the Faculty; Vice President for Campus FY 2021 Budget: $49.3 million Life and Inclusive Excellence; Vice President for Assets (as of 06.30.20): $108.5 million Enrollment Management; Vice President for Endowment (as of 03.31.21): $35.8 External Affairs; Vice President for Finance and million Administration; Director of Human Resources; Location: Doylestown, PA, 30 miles north Chief of Staff; and an Executive Assistant. (Please of Philadelphia, 78 miles west of New see Appendix B for the current Organizational York City, and 163 miles north of Chart of the President’s direct reports.) Washington, D.C. 3 POSITION DESCRIPTION Delaware Valley University | President Prepared by Diversified Search Group KEY PRIORITIES Drawing upon DelVal’s strengths and assets, the next President will act to: Develop and execute a shared strategic vision for the future The President will need to cast a vision by facilitating a collaborative, nimble, and flexible process to select priorities and initiatives, e.g., investing in existing and new academic expansion, developing a comprehensive philanthropic plan, and forging community and industry partnerships. Equally, the President shall be prepared to abandon those institutional elements that no longer contribute to the University’s success. The President will need to balance the tradeoffs necessary to seize opportunities. Ensure successful revenue expansion, fundraising, and financial sustainability The Board expects the new President to develop and execute a comprehensive financial blueprint for DelVal to prosper. Such a plan will utilize analysis of relevant information to formulate strategic investment actions; grow programs with attention to quality and return on investment; incorporate enrollment best practices; recognize emerging business employment trends; and embrace the President’s role as a fundraiser to secure DelVal’s future. Build relationships and forge partnerships The President is expected to develop strong connections to a wide variety of constituencies, including faculty, staff, students, the Board of Trustees, alumni, donors, and external partners. The President is expected to be present, visible, and accessible; to value the work of others; and to operate through principles of shared governance. The President is expected to be an entrepreneurial, transformational leader who will serve as the University’s chief fundraiser, garnering philanthropic support and working with community partners to create E360 opportunities, internships, and employment for students. The President will need to respond to all these expectations while advancing the goals of the University. Support the faculty and academic program excellence As a cornerstone of DelVal, the faculty is passionate about teaching, student success, research, and scholarship and supports a broad array of academic programs. The breadth of DelVal’s academic programs offers both advantages and challenges. The institution will benefit from a regular review of data and market trends to assess the uniqueness, competitiveness, and sustainability of the University’s academic programs. Embrace the ethos, mission, and values of DelVal DelVal’s students and alumni value their close relationships with faculty and staff, and the University is an intimate, close-knit community. The new President must honor DelVal’s history and work tirelessly to secure its future. 4 POSITION DESCRIPTION Delaware Valley University | President Prepared by Diversified Search Group CANDIDATE PROFILE Delaware Valley University seeks candidates demonstrating the following experience and abilities: Passion for DelVal’s Mission and Future: • A burning passion for a practical applied education and values; thoughtful in preserving DelVal’s commitment to experiential education and its potential